BROTHER WALRUS

Monday, February 24, 2014

A few weeks ago a college football player named Michael Sam
made headlines by coming out publically as a gay person. Why was this news?
Because he’s entering the NFL draft this spring, and is projected to be a mid-round
pick. Assuming he gets picked and is good enough to make the team, he’d
instantly become the NFL’s first openly gay football player.

The next thing you know, ESPN is reporting “breaking news”
on the subject. And all the talking sports heads on TV and radio are discussing
the impact of this announcement, and how it might affect the locker room, or
affect the team in general. Will he drop in the draft because teams might shy
away from a potential media circus? Will he be drafted at all?

Maybe it’s just me. But I don’t think this is going to be a
big deal at all. Have you noticed something in the sports media recently?
Michael Sam isn’t front page news anymore. When the story broke, it was
everywhere. But after every journalist gave his take, the media frenzy has
become more of a media trickle – with only an occasional story here and there.
And why is that? Because it’s just not all that shocking to most people.

We live in an era where intolerance simply isn’t tolerated
by the majority anymore. There are openly gay students in high schools
everywhere. And their classmates couldn’t care less. With each passing
generation, we’ve become more and more tolerant. It’s the older generation that
traditionally has had the biggest problem with homosexuality. But to be blunt,
they’re dying off.

I full anticipate the Michael Sam stories to start heating
up again as the NFL Draft day approaches. And I expect there will be even more
once he actually signs a contract, joins the team, and starts practicing. And
what’s going to happen when the media asks questions of his future teammates? I
have a feeling you’ll get answers like:

“He’s our teammate. We support him.”

“All we care about is winning. And as long as he helps us on
the field…”

Do you know what those answers are? They’re boring. And
boring doesn’t sell. But if boring is all you’re going to get, the media will
write about something else. And the story about Michael Sam’s sexuality will
fade away.

I applaud Michael Sam for having the courage to
be the first openly gay NFL player. But I don’t think he’ll be remembered like
Jackie Robinson is in baseball. Ultimately our society doesn’t view this as
that big of a deal. He’ll be remembered for his football accomplishments and
perhaps the answer to a trivia question. But it won’t be as the first openly
gay athlete in one of the four major U.S. sports. Why? Because just yesterday a
man named Jason Collins (a free agent NBA player who came out after last season)
signed a 10-day contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The story broke in the
afternoon. And a few hours later he was on the court playing. It all happened
so fast the media didn’t even have time to talk the story to death. As it
turned out, there was no need to. The crowd cheered him. His teammates accepted
him. That’s the story. He’s no different than any other player.

Friday, December 21, 2012

When you’re six years old, you look forward to Christmas – unless of course you’re me. Every kid loves this time of year. And as a child, we all know the drill. Santa Claus knows if you’ve been bad or good. And all the good boys and girls get presents. If you’re to believe the rumors, the bad kids get… not so much.

Well that year, I had been bad. For those who knew me as a child, you might recall that I was a “highly spirited” little kid. And by that I mean I got into quite a bit of trouble. My childhood reign of terror started that year. I was a pretty well-behaved kid in kindergarten. But during the summer after, a new kid named Carl moved into the neighborhood. Carl became my best friend. Carl was also smart, cocky, and unafraid to talk back to adults. He thumbed his nose at authority. I loved him! He was quite an influence on me. That September, at age six, Carl and I trashed a neighbor’s car. My rebellious nature was born.

So as Christmas approached, I was scared. The car incident was the pinnacle of my bad behavior that year. And even though Carl and I had gotten away with it, I knew that Santa was always watching. And he no doubt saw all the other bad things I’d done as well. I was doomed. I was getting nothing that year – save for maybe coal. It was an awful feeling.

Well on Christmas Eve I went to bed fearing the worst. I probably fretted myself into a state of insomnia. But eventually I fell asleep. Then about 3:00 in the morning I suddenly woke up. The house was completely silent. So I quietly slipped out of bed and tiptoed down the stairs. Our downstairs hallway had a side door that opened into the living room. I carefully turned the knob and peered inside. Although it was dark, the moonlight shone through the windows casting a magical glow over some Christmas presents – and more Christmas presents – and more, and more, and more, and more. There were presents everywhere! Instantly my fear of the unknown was overtaken by a warm, happy calm. I had pulled it off!

I closed the door and silently crept back up the stairs to my bedroom. As I was walking, a giant smile came over me. And I whispered to myself, “I can do ANYTHING!” What’s the moral of this story? Well… none really. But MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Forgive me oh Blogger father. For I have sinned. It has been four years, six months and 14 days since my last blog entry. What has happened since then? A bitter divorce, a hellacious post-divorce custody/placement battle, a big weight loss, an engagement, new housemates, new friends, a bald spot, and the Packers winning the Super Bowl.
I don’t think that last sentence was an actual sentence.
So what the hell happened? From January, 2006 through June, 2008 I was a regular blogger. I was constantly documenting my musings. And then I just stopped. Why? Probably a lack of motivation. Laziness. Meh, who knows? Who cares! But the real truth is that Facebook was probably the biggest culprit. I began to participate on the social media website in late 2008 or so. And I’m addicted. Any musings I had (and I had plenty) would inevitably wind up on my wall. Of course now they wind up on that stupid fucking thing they call a “timeline.” Who invented that idiotic system anyway? Facebook’s timeline is the equivalent of ass – old sweaty man ass. Thank you very much.
But timeline be damned, I love Facebook. It’s where a grownup can act like a kid again. And for someone like me (who has never fully grown up) it’s a perfect place to have fun. I’ve described Facebook as my own personal playground. In many ways it’s a lot like school. My Facebook friends are people I grew up and went to school with. There’s drama, petty arguments and outright name-calling. It’s fabulous! It’s controlled chaos in a non-existent cyber world. Yet it’s as real as anything. I’ve made friends on Facebook – some from around the world. Remind me sometime to tell you the story of Peter Bartok. Hell, I even got laid with someone I met on Facebook. Facebook good!!!
Anyway, I’ve returned. Just like Michael Jordan taking two years off to try and play baseball, I’m back. I can almost smell three more Blogger championships, commercial endorsements and Dennis Rodman’s rainbow hair.

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Ok, I'm sure everyone has seen this dopey commercial featuring the little girl who is embarrassed because her father doesn't drive a hybrid vehicle. So she wants to be dropped off a block away from the movie theater.

I don't know about you. But this ad makes me want to go out and buy a gas-guzzling hummer.

Honestly, how old is this girl - 10, 11? First of all, I find it hard to believe that your average 10-year-old even knows what a hybrid is. And even if one did, I don't think there would be an elitist attitude surrounding those who have them. "My parents drive hybrids. Yours don't. I'm better than you. Ha ha ha!"

Please...

Listen to this girl yap. "People in that part of town are riding bikes and have hybrids and stuff."

Yeah, every city has a hybrid side of town, don't they? If I were that dad I would walk back in the house and tell this little brat to hop on HER bike and get to the theater on her own.

Friday, May 16, 2008

I have a friend named Amanda. I've actually known her for 11 years now. Wow. Anyway, a few years ago she got divorced. And she said that at the time, whenever she told people she was getting a divorce, the person she was talking to somehow felt it was appropriate to start bashing her soon-to-be-ex.

Apparently this is very common. What an odd phenomenon this is - and how unbelievably rude as well!

Amanda surmised that this is just the way some people try to be supportive.

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

So I took my two daughters to my new favorite restaurant - Dragon Gourmet in the hustling, bustling beautiful downtown of Grafton.

And to think, a few months ago, I would never dream of eating Chinese food. I had a bad experience at a Chinese restaurant about eight years ago. It really had nothing to do with the restaurant itself. Whatever got me sick began prior to entering the establishment that night. But ever since then, I've associated that sickness with Chinese food.

But I've overcome my fear. And now I can't get enough of sweet 'n sour chicken or sweet 'n sour pork. Pour on a little hot mustard sauce and I've got a great Homer Simpson drool going.

Anyway, when the check arrives, they provide you an orange slice for every person, as well as a fortune cookie. My three-year-old always wants to open up the cookie herself, but wants me to read it. Tonight was interesting.

"Daddy, daddy, what's it say?"

"Avoid senseless contradictions with others."

Her response? "Cooool!"

That made me laugh seeing as she had no clue what I was talking about.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Copied without permission, from a person I haven't laid eyes on in probably 15 years. I don't think this person would give a shit that I copied it publically though. But they're good words, albeit not the easiest to follow. And to think, the words came from someone who I wasn't exactly kind to on my classmate blog.

Hey Burt…

I finally got to reading some of you stuff on your personal blog and just found out about your marital issues. I would have to believe what you are going through is very difficult. But… you have YOUR life, a short time here on Earth. Hopefully we’re lucky enough to get 60, 70, 80 years or more. LIVE IT, AND LIVE IT HARD! We’re almost half way fuckin’ done!! Be a little selfish… do some things for yourself. Explore! Be a father! Live! Enjoy what the world has to offer! Of all of the people I know, you are one of the few who has real “balls” and can live life to the fullest. I don’t care if you are shy or if you feel your social skills aren’t up to par… fuck that! You are 10x smarter than most people I know. LIVE for Christ sake. You can even act like a dick if you want!!! I know your significant other is the love of you life… so what! Live for yourself for a while. I know that living in this world without the companion that you’ve become so comfortable with is difficult, but DO IT! This could be the start of something huge for you. You may get the opportunity to do some wacked you things that would never get to do as a faithful husband and the father of 2 lovely girls. Live your life for YOU and your two little angels… go do the shit you want to do. Feel free to develop a chip on your shoulder… be a G Damn jackass is you want. Get a fuckin’ Harley and explore the countryside!! Like I said, LIVE, AND LIVE HARD! Chances are that at some point in time you may stumble upon your true soul mate. You may look back in 20 years and have no regrets!! Nikki sounded like a great person… I certainly can’t judge. But if she wants to go… I’m not sure that belief can be changed.

I feel for you my man and wish you the best. Burt, you are a good person… live your life to the fullest!

Monday, January 21, 2008

Thursday, January 10, 2008

I know what makes me comfortable,And I know what makes me tick,And when I need to get my way,I know how to pour it on thick..

All the rest is out of my handsI will learn to let go - what I cannot change.I will learn to forget - what I cannot change.I already love - what I cannot change.But I will change, I will change.Whatever I, whatever I can.

About Me

These are the stories of my life in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. The names have not been changed. My focus will be on all the classmates and teachers I encountered over the years. To the best of my knowledge, everything I write here is true. However I admit that some things may not be. If I have another source, I will do my best to name that source. However, secondhand information is not always accurate. If I've made a mistake, please tell me.
I never considered myself to be a true member of Washington High School's class of 1989. But I was, in name only.
I mean no malice or carry no grudges to anyone I write about. This blog is for me and me alone. These are my opinions. They may not be facts. However, I will never knowingly post something that is false. This is my point of view of my former classmates.
On the off chance that anyone I write about happens to see any of this, and are offended, dont be! These are simply my opinions based on experiences from many years ago. My opinions are not a reflection on who you are now or who you were then. Besides, people can change. The pricks of yesteryear may be the saints of today - and vice versa.
Welcome to my mind.